Avast Free Security. WhatsApp Messenger. Talking Tom Cat. Clash of Clans. Subway Surfers. TubeMate 3. Google Play. Adele convinces Spotify to remove shuffle from all albums. In his six decades of television, Graham hosted annual Billy Graham Crusades , which ran from until his retirement in He also hosted the radio show Hour of Decision from to He repudiated racial segregation. In addition to his religious aims, he helped shape the worldview of a huge number of people who came from different backgrounds, leading them to find a relationship between the Bible and contemporary secular viewpoints.
According to his website, Graham preached to live audiences of million people in more than countries and territories through various meetings, including BMS World Mission and Global Mission. Graham was a spiritual adviser to U.
Truman, to the 44th, Barack Obama. It is not easy, and yet generations before us can significantly impact the generations that follow. If you are on this earth, God has a plan and purpose for you. There is dignity and value in all ages and generations, especially when we come together. Apr 13, Mathew rated it liked it Shelves: theology. That in itself is noteworthy. However, what Graham argues is that aging in itself is not enough one most finish well. He says, The Bible is dotted with other examples of individuals whom God used in their latter years--men and women who refused to use old age as an excuse to ignore what God wanted them to do.
Preaching in Print What Graham does well in this book is offer practical advise on you can near home well. Often what he says is balanced and he writes in a readable prose style.
Nearing Home not a robust theological treatise on dying well. The topic of aging, finishing well, and death is such an important topic I wish some of the theological pipework was exposed more explicitly. He talks at length about managing your finances well in old age, about learning from the younger generation and sharing your wisdom with them, and also covers topics like death of a spouse, retirement, forgiveness, and even technology.
And what would you expect from a former evangelist but a clear presentation of the gospel Kindle Location of and also an invitation to pray for salvation He argues strongly for finding ministry opportunities in retirement. I found this perspective refreshing. In one of the more moving paragraphs Graham says, Christians are not to be preoccupied with death; God has put within each of us a will to survive. But neither are we to shrink from death or act as if we must fiercely resist it until the last breath.
Jun 01, Meggie rated it really liked it. Yet here he is, in his nineties, having outlived many friends and his wife. Graham uses this opportunity in his final book to reflect on life, old age, death and heaven with decades of experience behind him. One of his themes and best takeaways is that he was always prepared to die but never prepared to grow old, and therefore is seeking to help his readers with the latter.
His thoughtful mixture of preaching truth, scripture and anecdote was Graham at his best, and certainly drew me to a deeper understanding of the gospel and faith. Jun 10, Crystal rated it it was amazing. Despite being a Christian since preschool, I've never actually read any of Billy Graham's books, or even heard an entire sermon in full.
So I was excited for his latest written in , and I wasn't disappointed. Though this book is somewhat aimed at old people, I really enjoyed it and think anyone of any age could benefit. It's typical Graham, from what I've heard: simple, easy to understand, direct and conversational.
This man has a million admirable qualities, but his best, in my opinion, is Despite being a Christian since preschool, I've never actually read any of Billy Graham's books, or even heard an entire sermon in full. This man has a million admirable qualities, but his best, in my opinion, is this one: he still isn't content to sit back and let a chance to talk about his best friend go by.
As Graham points out, God is keeping him alive for a reason. Definitely recommended. The earnest evangelist hitting his lifelong note comes through. Don't see nearly as much of the man behind the message as I might have hoped. Every point moves quickly to the simple Gospel message nearly every reader would know and offers little of Graham's life-seasoned counsel to would-be disciples who seek a foothold in following after him.
Jul 08, BookOfCinz rated it it was amazing Shelves: absolute-favorite , all-the-feels , believe-the-hype , inspiring-and-motivating , books-to-read-before , cant-shut-up-about-this , memoir , reads , life-changing , real-life-sh-t. I had been taught all my life how to die, but no one ever taught me how to grow old. This book shook me. There is no other way to put it. It really brought to light how unprepared I am for dying is anyone my age ever really is?
I have absolutely no plans in place for my death or retirement. After finishing this book I immediately wrote out my will and how I want my funeral arrangements to be.
I messaged my friend and she was totally freaked out, asking where all my quest I had been taught all my life how to die, but no one ever taught me how to grow old. I messaged my friend and she was totally freaked out, asking where all my questions were coming from Growing up, I always heard about Bill Graham, I cannot say I followed his ministry but I know Rick Warren, looked up to him a lot and was totally shaken when Graham died.
It is always great reading a book filled with wisdom from someone who lived a long full life. Graham wrote about topics we don't generally read about, death, retirement and aging. I love how real this book was, as Graham rightly said, "aging isn't for sissies" he spoke about how lonely it can be, how much aging persons suffer because of health issues and have anxiety or worries because of their lack of finances.
There are a lot of things to consider and Billy Graham brought all of these to the forefront in this book. This is a book for everyone, there is so much wisdom packed into this read. A must read for me. Oct 29, Amy rated it really liked it. I recently toured his library and was fascinated and awed at the amazing things that he accomplished in his life. You have to respect a man who is dedicated to his cause and truly tries to live by what he believes!
Great advice and encouragement in this book. Written when Billy Graham was reaching his 93rd birthday as of writing this review, he is now 99 years old , he reflects on his life and lists his triumphs and regrets. He also gives advice to those growing old in many areas, financially, emotionally and most important of all, spiritually.
He gives his testimony on God's goodness and to cling on to the hope of heaven, that growing old means they are closer to eternal glory.
I listened to the audiobook, read by Robert Lake and he did a good job. Overall, this book is for all ages. May 09, Christine Smith rated it it was amazing Shelves: read This is a must read. I enjoyed this one immensely. Filled with thought provoking wisdom from His Word and Billy Graham.
I think I may make this an annual read. Likewise, the elderly would be wise to consider the contribution the young make even to our own lives. They will see our mistakes, and they will see our triumphs. We will hopefully recognize their struggles and accomplishments and encourage them as they face the unknown future. In times of loss there are lessons to be gained. Billy Graham is a national icon. Even non-Christians know him.
Even at 93 years-old, Graham exudes the same spark that I have witnessed on video clips. Sadly, I have never read a Billy Graham book until now and I have never heard him speak. The book talks about growing old, finishing well and bridging the gap between young and old.
The quote above I highlighted. There were so many quotable items and good points that I wish so many young and old would read and take to heart.
Our young people need to learn the lessons of our grandparents and our seniors need the young people for flexibility and youthfulness.
Graham also spoke about preparing for death, and not just in the financial sense. Graham decided he would take the lessons he has learned along the way and impart that wisdom to others. Larry Ross, Mr. How can I cope with my fears, struggles and growing limitations? How do I face the future with hope instead of despair? Well, Mr. Graham talks about how the Bible provides an oasis for the soul.
The fear of the Lord is the fountain of life. Nearing Home is rich with Scriptural examples of people God has used late in life with great impact, says Ross. I encourage adult children to consider turning the tables. Perhaps this would open up the discussion because, after all, they may also be reluctant to bring up dreaded subjects. Ask the Lord to give you wise words and a sense of right timing for such discussions. The Lord honors His people who do all in His name with respect, gentleness, and love.
A Word to Pa rents My prayer is that you will be responsible for settling the business that must take place when living wills and last wills and final arrange- ments must be made.
It is emotionally hard on others to make such decisions for a loved one. The older generation should set an example of making important decisions while they are able to do so. Your children will someday be dealing with the same issues you are today. You can bless your children with the example of responsible planning.
I remember being moved when I read the last will and testa- ment of the late J. He is noted as perhaps the most influential banker in history. Having your house in order is one of the most important things parents can do for their children.
Give them the peace of mind that you have your piece of mind and have taken care of the business that has come about from your lifetime of labor. More than anything else, let them know where you stand with the Lord Jesus Christ, for this will be your lasting legacy.
Are we obediently setting things in place so that oth- ers will know that we were responsible followers of Christ? Are we preparing for death with the assurance that Jesus is preparing our homecoming? When we reach our destiny, will others know where we are? Jesus came and dwelt among man- kind.
He was the example of how to live—and how to die. This is a wonderful last will and testament. I had to look carefully at the article to discern just how an exo- skeleton suit made of metal and plastic could give any strength. The secret was not in the suit but in the eight electric motors and sen- sors responding to commands through a voice-recognition system, enabling the body to lift and bend without strain to the muscles.
A sixty-five-year-old father was helping his son move into a new house. I went to the garage to get the hand truck. When I returned, my dad had moved the freezer across the deck and into the kitchen the hard way—by sheer strength! My first response was to remind him he could have thrown his back out or pulled a muscle. Then I saw the twinkle in his eye. He was proud of his accomplishment, and I have to say, I was proud of him.
Old man strength came to mind, and I concluded that there was a lot I could learn from this man with the silver hair who has always stood strong and exhibited sheer determination. But I can certainly remember as a young man thinking of my father as one with great strength.
He was a farmer. He worked with his hands. And as he grew older, my respect grew deeper for his strength of wisdom. God knows our infirmities. He knows our strength wanes as the years pass. Our dependence on Him delights Him. Instead we should think about God and how strong He is.
Are we depending on Him? Are we recognizing His voice? When God Spe a k s I have never heard the voice of the Lord audibly, but the Lord has spoken to me many times throughout my life.
To recognize the voice of the Lord, we must belong to Him. Caller ID. My neighbor was the one who identified all those who called—we shared a party line.
Well, Ruth never had to identify herself when she called me on my many trips around the world. When I picked up the phone and heard her speak, I knew the voice of my wife. That was also years before mobile phones and caller ID. I never had to ask my children to identify themselves by name when they phoned. I could easily dis- tinguish the voices of my daughters Gigi, Anne, and Bunny, and my two sons Franklin and Ned.
My sisters Catherine and Jean, and my brother, Melvin, were unmistakable voices to me. I never had to ask who was calling. We recognize the voices of those who are dear to us and those with whom we commune. The Lord would not expect us to hear His voice if He did not make it possible.
The voice of the Lord comes in various ways: a voice in the midst of the fire Deuteronomy ; a voice upon the waters Psalm ; a voice from Heaven Matthew ; a voice out of the cloud Matthew ; the voice of His mouth Acts ; a voice from the excellent glory 2 Peter ; and a voice out of the throne Revelation Do we listen for His voice in our everyday activity? God speaks to the human heart.
His voice is described as full of majesty Psalm , a still small voice 1 Kings , and a glorious voice Isaiah His is a powerful voice Psalm It shakes the wilderness Psalm , divides the flames of fire Psalm , thunders Job , and rushes like many waters Revelation ; and His voice cries to the city Micah We are to obey His voice Deuteronomy and hearken to the voice of His word Psalm Now there are few instances when anyone is disconnected.
We can call from the sky while in flight. It is no longer necessary to pull off the highway to make a call from a pay phone. But sometimes reception is difficult. It is not unusual for a cellular phone to drop a call in midsentence or for the transmission to be interrupted momentarily because of interference. Can you hear me? If Eve had had a mobile phone, she may have suggested there was interference on the line. But there is nothing humorous about broken communication with the Lord of our lives.
When it happens, I can assure you that we are the interference—not Him. The Bible is full of accounts of men and women hearing the voice of the Lord but not recognizing it at first.
This happened to the prophet Samuel. God called him by name, over and over. Samuel thought it was someone else. But the Lord per- sisted until Samuel recognized His voice 1 Samuel He expects a response.
Send me! What do You want me to do? He is a loving God who cares about our needs. His voice gives com- fort and guidance. Scripture dispels this. For those who fear and honor the Lord, He hears the voice of weeping Psalm and says, Refrain your voice from weeping, And your eyes from tears; For your work shall be rewarded. There is hope in your future. He hears the voice of your words Deuteronomy and attends to your voice in prayer Psalm I hope these reminders from Scripture boost your spirit.
The good old days call me back at times, especially when I am with friends who have shared so much. While I choose not to dwell on the past or relive my youth, there are times I long to hike up into the hills with my children or stand in the pulpit to deliver a Gospel mes- sage. But the walker, wheelchair, and cane near my bed remind me that chapter in life is past. So I thank God for the memories that have enriched my life but look forward to new opportunities, to experiences that can add some dimension to the present.
Children look at their thirty-year-old parents as old, their grandparents as ancient. Grandparents look at their children and grandchildren as forever young. Yet children are always pushing their young age up as fast as they can. Ask a child how old he or she is. The twelve-year-old wants to be a teenager. The teenager wants to be old enough to get married.
Couples are anxious to marry their children off so they can become grandparents. When they get to the grandparent stage, they begin complaining about being too old. The truth is that instant success robs young people of the journey; but it is along the journey that we obtain knowledge, collect memories, and have a sense of achievement that makes life a rewarding experience.
And older people are often deceived by miracle drugs and creams promising renewed beauty and vigor. Rumor had it that drinking its waters would keep one young. How many couples have packed their belongings, pulled up roots, and left home and family to set up housekeeping in a condo on a Florida golf course—with a nursing home across the fairway?
A plastic surgeon in the Sunshine State named his private practice Fountain of Youth Institute, but according to a recent report by Scientific American, the Fountain of Youth is a myth. A few years later, he enlisted in the United States military. It is contrary to being afraid of Him. God would not have sent His Son to earth to communicate with us if He wanted human- ity to be fearful of approaching Him.
I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. We can draw strength from its resources and stand strong in our resolve to be overcomers, looking forward to the inheritance and being in the presence of the Savior of our souls. Though the eyes of the tired, overworked, and aged may dim, His light will pour into our hearts. While the lips of the elderly may be silenced, godly words will continue to flow through our beings. When hearing is a challenge, wise instruction can run through our innermost thoughts.
While many may lose their ability to make decisions, others will benefit from their experiences as they also blaze new trails. He probably thought the same about me. When I had last seen him, he was tall and athletic; now he was stooped and wrinkled, trembling slightly and leaning heavily on his cane. He was still the same person, but the years had taken their toll. Just as life is a journey of many steps, so is that part we commonly call the golden years.
And yet if we live long enough, old age inevitably will overtake us. We may not like to admit this; we may even deny it and devote our energies to keeping old age at bay. Up to a point some of their claims may be valid. Careful attention to our health may slow down the aging process and ward off some of its more onerous effects—at least for a time.
In reality some people seem to have stronger genes and age more slowly than others. Some are old at sixty; others seem almost ageless. As I dictate this, my longtime associate and friend George Beverly Shea has just celebrated his nd birthday, and he is still alert and sprightly. Shortly after his birthday he and his wife, Karlene, journeyed to Hollywood, where he was honored with a lifetime Grammy Award for his sing- ing career—the oldest person ever to receive that prestigious and well-deserved honor.
The outdoor concert was taped under an enormous tent with Gospel music artists on the platform. Cliff at age 88 and Bev at age sat on stage singing with the others the great songs of faith way into the night.
But no matter who you are, nothing will halt the onset of old age completely, and like it or not, the longer you live the more its burdens and disabilities will become your companions.
Most obvious is the decline in physical strength and the ability to do everything we once did. Gradually our muscles grow stiff and lose strength; our mobility lessens; our hearing and eyesight begin to deteriorate; our reactions slow down; our physical stamina begins to fade. Much as I might wish otherwise, at the age of ninety-two I no longer can get out of a chair by myself. Several years ago my doctors insisted I begin using a walker to prevent me from losing my balance and falling.
I would have been foolish to ignore their warning. As age increases, energy decreases. Everything seems to take longer, even recovering from illness or periods of activity. Another new reality in this stage of life is watching friends and family members become ill or die.
Hardly a week goes by without news reaching me about the illness or death of someone I have known. It seems as though more and more young people are being diagnosed with diseases that once were thought diseases for the elderly. In some cases older folks can learn from the younger who are dealt such blows.
One young man comes to mind. He was in the prime of life—thirty years old—and had an exciting future planned. As he was driving down a highway, a pain in his chest caused him to pull over at the side of the road. When the worst of the pain subsided, he drove himself to the hospital and within days was diagnosed with a malignant tumor wrapped around his heart.
Through months of surgery and treatment, his attitude amazed the doctors at the University of Michigan. He was a good-looking young man. In spite of the tubes, needles, and strong medica- tions, his countenance shined. When the doctors asked him where he drew his strength from, he was able to share Christ with them.
While the doctors gave him little hope, they tried to encourage him by saying that a miracle could save his life. If I live I win. If I die I win. There is no doubt that catastrophic illnesses take their tolls on the elderly. Just as our bodies age and decline, so do our minds.
I last saw him on the lawn of his home in Bel Air, California, at the invitation of his wife, Nancy. After I visited with her in their living room, she asked if I would like to say hello to Mr.
Reagan, and I readily agreed. We stepped outside into the bright California sun. A nurse was helping the former president with his lunch.
An author recently told about watching her father suffer from the effects of dementia. He spoke every word with her with clarity. At worst it may be mildly embarrassing; at best it may even be humorous. A few years ago I was being introduced at a reception by the host, a man about my age whom I had known for many years. He was recalling to the group how we had first met through a mutual friend we both knew well. I know it as well as I know my own name. It was.
It calmed our fears when a minute later the name came to us. When Hidden Perils Come to Light We can see ourselves in many Scripture passages, such as this one: You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning— though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered. While the physical and mental effects of old age are obvious, aging often impacts us in ways that are less obvious.
What are these hidden perils? Certainly one is fear. When we are facing the uncertainties of illness or growing disability or loneliness or financial stress, it is natural to be worried about what is going to happen to us. But sometimes our worries over- whelm us, and we become so absorbed by them that whatever has caused them becomes all we think about. Instead of having a passing worry, we become gripped by chronic, unrelenting fear and anxiety. Another hidden peril is often related to fear and anxiety: depres- sion.
We look back and think about all the things we have done in life, and now we are discouraged to think we will never do them again. Doctors tell us that depression is one of the most common and most serious problems many older people face, although it often goes undetected. Common symptoms such as fatigue, for- getfulness, and feelings of loneliness are easily explained away as effects of aging when they could be treated.
A hidden peril of a different sort is anger. No one likes to lose control over life; we all would like to remain independent as we grow older. A further peril may creep up on us as we grow older: intense loneliness, even feelings of abandonment. Often I cry myself to sleep, I feel so alone. Many years ago an aunt of mine lived in Orlando, Florida. She had never married, but in the course of her life she had accumulated a fairly large amount of property.
In her latter years, we discovered, a man with a gracious personality befriended her and wormed his way into her confidence. In time he convinced her to sell much of her property and allow him to invest her money for her. The man simply had taken advantage of her—and her loneliness. One of his friends gently rebuked him for this: Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands.
Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees. But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged. Should not your piety [your devotion to God] be your confidence?
Turn constantly to Him in prayer, confident not only that He hears you but that even now Jesus is interceding for you. In the weeks before her death, my wife, Ruth, repeated these verses over and over to us.
Ruth was always thinking of others. This was her secret for getting through so much of life with joy. She never focused on her problems, she turned her attention to Christ, and He always led her to someone who needed a word of encouragement or a listening ear.
My sister Catherine was in a nursing home several years before her death. She had restricted mobility, and her health was frag- ile. But she knew all the residents and patiently listened to their concerns. She showed them the compassion of Christ and had many opportunities to witness.
The Lord used her even in her own hours of weakness. I have been told about an eighty-six-year-old lady who is deal- ing with debilitating illnesses, yet she goes from church on Sundays to the local nursing home to visit the elderly, read Scripture to them, and pray for them.
She looks forward to this each week. My goodness, there are so many people to pray for that it seems I run out of time. The Lord blesses people who bless others, and He gives grace to those who focus on the things that please Him. Life is seldom easy as we grow older, but old age has its special joys—the joy of time with family and friends, the joy of freedom from responsibilities we once had, and the joy of savoring the little things we once overlooked.
0コメント